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Planning Board opens public hearing on 2026 zoning amendments; citizen petition to shrink historic district draws debate
Summary
The board held the first of two public hearings on proposed 2026 zoning amendments to align local code with recent New Hampshire law, change setbacks, clarify cottage‑court rules, and consider a citizen petition to remove two homes from the historic district; testimony split between petitioners and preservation advocates.
The Bedford Planning Board opened a two‑meeting public hearing on proposed 2026 zoning amendments on Jan. 5, including eight board‑sponsored amendments and one citizen petition seeking to remove two properties from the historic district.
Planning Director Becky Hebert outlined changes prompted in part by recent New Hampshire state law: revisions to definitions for boarding/lodging and a new ‘single housekeeping unit’ definition; by‑right allowance and clarification of accessory dwelling units (ADUs); requirements for multifamily housing in commercial zones (including public water/sewer and floor‑level limits); and a suite of local edits to setbacks, retaining‑wall…
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